Questions Posted to "Ask a Dispatcher"
Q. Does a restraining order go both ways? I've heard from a friend that the petitioner, can contact the respondent. Can you explain this
thank you
Dear Juneau Resident,
A restraining order only limits the respondent. While it may not seem fair a petitioner can legally contact a respondent and if the respondent consents to the contact, stays on the phone, has a conversation, etc...it is the respondent that gets arrested. Respondents have been arrested many times for violating a protective order despite the fact the petitioner initiated the contact. Any respondent needs to understand that a judge has ordered the no contact provision, not the petitioner. Only the judge can allow for changes to the order, the petitioner does not have that authority.
